Can a chewing gum fight viruses? This plant-based gum can trap and neutralise viruses, says study

It might sound like something out of science fiction, but according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, your next weapon against flu and herpes might just be, a piece of gum. Yes, really.
Published in Molecular Therapy, and conducted by researchers at the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and collaborators in Finland, this new study explores how a natural, plant-based chewing gum could help reduce the spread of viruses that affect millions of people around the world. The results are said to be surprisingly impressive.

Here’s all you need to know about the gum that might help fight viruses:

• Made from beans: Specifically, lablab beans (also known as  Lablab purpureus), a natural food source that contains a powerful protein called FRIL, can can trap and neutralise viruses in the mouth, where many infections actually begin.

Lablab purpureus was was tested on two strains of herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and two strains of influenza (H1N1 and H3N2). All four are incredibly common and highly contagious, and the gum managed to slash their viral loads by over 95 percent (Image: Canva)

• Works against herpes and flu: The gum was tested on two strains of herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and two strains of influenza (H1N1 and H3N2). All four are incredibly common and highly contagious, and the gum managed to slash their viral loads by over 95 percent.

• Mouth matters: Many viruses spread more efficiently through the mouth than through the nose. According to the study, targeting the oral cavity with something as simple as chewing gum could be a clever way to slow down transmission before viruses get a chance to cause serious damage.

• Gum magic for health: The same research team previously tested a similar gum on COVID-19 saliva samples and got the same jaw-dropping result—a 95 percent drop in viral load. That success is now in clinical trials, and this new study builds directly on that work.

Effective, safe and FDA-compliant:

The gum was produced as a clinical-grade drug product, meaning it meets FDA safety standards. So far, there’s no indication of side effects, and the team is preparing for human clinical studies.

• Turning to bird flu: Bird flu is spreading fast, over 54 million birds in North America have already been affected, and a few human cases have popped up too. Now, researchers are exploring ways to mix lablab bean powder into bird feed to reduce transmission in poultry, and possibly prevent crossover to humans.

• Natural ingredient: With low flu vaccination rates in many areas and no vaccine at all for herpes, a product that reduces transmission risk, using a natural, low-cost ingredient, could be huge. Especially in places with limited access to healthcare.

• A timely innovation: “Controlling transmission of viruses continues to be a major global challenge,” said Henry Daniell, W.D. Miller Professor at Penn’s School of Dental Medicine. “A broad-spectrum antiviral protein present in a natural food product to neutralise human and bird flu is a timely innovation,” he added.

Not quite, but we’re getting there. With human trials in progress and promising results from the lab, this little bean-based gum might someday become a simple, surprising way to help stop viruses in their tracks. Until then, follow the basic rules; brush your teeth, wash your hands, and maybe keep an eye on your local health news.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.